Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles and her NFL star husband Jonathan Owens have found themselves at the centre of a fierce backlash from animal rights campaigners. The controversy erupted after the couple appeared to have purchased a Doberman puppy that had undergone a cosmetic ear-cropping procedure, a practice described as painful and unnecessary.
PETA's Stern Rebuke and the Breeder's Defence
The nonprofit organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wrote a strongly-worded letter to the couple, expressing its dismay. The letter, seen by the Daily Mail, criticised the decision to buy from a breeder and then subject the puppy to ear cropping. "We were stunned when we saw you purchased a dog from a breeder, and judging from the comments online, we weren’t alone," PETA's correspondence began. "Then you went another step further and had the puppy’s ears chopped off?"
PETA emphasised that the procedure is "excruciatingly painful" and permanently disfiguring, performed solely for a specific aesthetic. They noted that many veterinarians refuse to perform it and that it is banned in numerous European countries.
The breeder in question, Regal Empire Doberman, also faced intense criticism on social media. When one user challenged the practice, asking "Why do you still dock the ears? It’s cruelty and purely cosmetic," the breeder's account replied defiantly: "Because I can …. Next question."
A Growing Canine Family and a Shelter Crisis
The new Doberman becomes the fourth dog in Biles and Owens' family, joining French bulldogs Lilo and Rambo, and Owens' English bulldog, Zeus. The couple, married since 2023, split their time between a custom-built mansion in Texas and Chicago, where Owens plays for the Bears.
In its letter, PETA connected the couple's actions to the wider issue of animal homelessness. "As long as people continue to buy dogs when so many await loving homes, we will always be in a homeless animal crisis," the organisation stated. They painted a vivid picture of shelter workers struggling to rehome animals, only to see influential figures promote breeders.
"It’s simple math: for every dog purchased, a dog in a shelter loses their chance at a home," PETA argued, suggesting the couple could have adopted a Doberman from a breed-specific rescue organisation.
Public Outcry and Awaiting Response
The image of the couple with their new puppy and the breeder, posted on social media, sparked immediate fury among animal lovers online. The public reaction, combined with PETA's formal intervention, has turned a private pet acquisition into a significant public relations issue.
PETA's letter concluded with a plea for future kindness, urging Biles and Owens to "adopt one of the millions of animals dreaming of a better life." The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Simone Biles seeking a response to the allegations, but no comment has yet been issued by the couple.
